TMFDoraemon (86.38)

July 2010

4

The streets of Hong Kong are packed with shoppers. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Times Square near the flagship stores for luxury brands or in Mong Kok where some of the smaller, more local shops are located, shoppers are out in full force. [more]

Recs

6

Today in Shenzhen while out getting a feeling for what is in the neighborhood around the hotel, I stumbled upon an 85 Degrees Café and Bakery. I had heard about 85 Degrees in the past, but since the only US store I’m aware of is in California I hadn’t actually seen one. I stopped in to have a look and I was impressed. I must admit, though, that I haven't tried the coffee yet. [more]

Recs

14

If you’ve read Tim Clissold’s excellent book, Mr. China, you know that he and his team of investors bypassed investments in consumer staples such as beverages and household cleaners, because they wanted businesses that could go national quickly. Outside of beer they only saw consumer brands with regional strength in China, and no clear indication of which could be injected with capital and grown into national powers. [more]

7

Harvard’s Ken Rogoff recently said China’s property collapse has started and that it is going to hit the banking system. Maybe that’s why Bank of China and now ICBC are raising capital in rights offerings. But a real estate focused company we met with earlier today thinks otherwise. They still see short-term funding available from banks and aren’t yet concerned. [more]